cart training a miniature horse the fun way

[horse1246]

LUCKY! The mini at my stables is of scared of EVERYTHING. So we realy cant do much with him, but we love him anyways :D btw GREAT job with the pony

[Peggasus09]

@horse1246 I have found that with clicker training even fearful horses can be trained. With it for certain.

[Peggasus09]

@miniaturegalforlife - Mantra is a Handsome boy....so do you have pictures of your filly? Is she on YouTube?

[miniaturegalforlife]

Your miniature horse reminds me alot of my little yearling filly. :)

[Chariset]

"Stand still and get treats, and all I have to do is tolerate this weird leather thing? Deal!"

[joedog636]

What do you reward him with

[TheIloveanimals12345]

awwww he sooo cute i want him :)

[heidimule]

does the pony learn to bite? being that they are eating out of the hand all the time?

[lakota123max]

love this video!

[Peggasus09]

Hello Liedermacherin - please check out the site: clickertraining . com

Karen Pryor coined the phrase and popularized the method. There are many different ways to strengthen the training, and one way is to click without treating. Another way is to treat with EVERY click but vary the type of treat you use. The choice is up to the trainer and I prefer the latter as taught by Karen Pryor. And I am definitely doing "clicker training" :-)

[liedermacherin]

Sorry, but that's not clicker training you're doing. You sure do positive reinforcement, but with treats. The point with clicker training is to substitute the treats with clicking. It's fine to train your horse the way you do, but it's not clicker training unless you make the clicking the reward instead of the treat.

[horsel0v3rl01]

we have a rescue shelti but she is just too lazy!

haha

you are my an awsome trainer

thanks for the vids

[Showyn1]

This was absolutely BRILLIANT!! I can't wait to incorporate some of these techniques into training my minis!! Never even thought about using the clicker on the minis!! I use it on my dogs...why not the minis! But LOVE your ideas for cart training!! WONDERFUL!!

[Peggasus09]

@Showyn1 - Oh my goodness....you won't BELIEVE what the minis do with clicker training. Be SURE to start them with lessons like "leave it," back up, stand still for the treats etc. Best of luck!

[HappyTrailsRiding]

that was so cute, nice job! TY for posting and making this. Tooo Cooool!

[Peggasus09]

Be sure to watch Mantra in his newest video - Part Two of the series!

[glovie2]

Is there any downside to clicking with the tongue, which leaves the hands free?

[Peggasus09]

@glovie2 There is research to suggest that using a verbal marker for TRAINING a behavior is not quite as effective as the sound from the box clicker. Once the behavior is trained, then it doesn't seem to matter what kind of marker you use.

I think they adapt really quickly to the tongue click....that's my experience anyway.

Thanks for asking!

[4Champ2and0]

@glovie2I think a good replacement word is 'yes' also. If you only use yes for marking the behavior you want. I do it with my pony and he has picked up on it quite well. He also really blossomed personality wise since starting this type of training. He was abused by a whip before I got him, and aggressively trained w/NH after that. Needless to say when he saw a lunge line, round pen, or whip he was nippy and uncooperative. Now he plays with my whip and tries very hard to understand things! = )

[budhorse4]

I am so happy. I have ordered my clicker for my miniature and I can't wait to get it! :)

[Peggasus09]

Good on ya!

Come visit my facebook page called Clicker-Training-Horses and join in on the fun.

[abirdslife]

Great video and tons of information, thankyou for sharing it !

[Peggasus09]

Thanks...for those checking out my videos, be sure to check out "abirdslife" videos as well. Good stuff!

[1minihorse]

I've been clicker training my mini, she's 1 1/2 years old. I'm finding that she's getting mouthy, that most times when a hand nears her mouth, she expects food, even when there is no clic,k. Any suggestion to nip the mouthing in the bud? I'm training her in hopes to become a registered therapy team with Delta Society and mouthing is something that would get us marked Not Acceptable and that marking means we'd never be able to try being evaluated ever again.

[Peggasus09]

There is a lot of info. on the web about handfeeding for your clicker trained horse. The biggest contributors I see to mouthy behavior are:

Broken clicks - people forget to treat sometimes.

Treating too close to your body; I advocate extending your arm so the horse's head is forward (in most cases).

You also need to teach your horse the "Leave it alone" game. Please research carefully; I would hate to see her get marked Not Acceptable.

[heidigrx]

Where is part 2? Also - I am working on this stuff with my mini, but I am fairly new to clicker training and don't really see anyone actually clicking once the horse gets going hitched up - I mean, do you really keep stopping and getting out to treat, and what motivation does the horse have if you don't?

[Peggasus09]

LOL...you know...that's a darned good question!

Part 2 is partly filmed, partly trained. Lots of other training/projects on the table. In a nutshell, once a behavior is really trained, you don't need to click as often. Part 1 really shows the beginning stages, so lots of clicking going on.

Once hooked up, I will continue to have support for the horse, and that person will click/treat until things are stable. Then I fade the treats. On occasion I will click/stop/get out and treat. But that's me!

[Cmaentz]

What a day! Bathed 2 minis that have never had a bath before. I finally gave up on clicking for this exercise.. not enough hands for hose, treats, clicker and directing horses in right direction! Tomorrow I'll resume training Buddy to be lead pony on my carousel. Thanks for the great videos.. I'm learning so much that I've fallen in love all over again with my minis!

[Peggasus09]

LOL...yep...lots of things to negotiate. BTW....I use a popping sound with my tongue when I find I've got too much stuff and not enough hands. Works fine.

Glad you've found joy in your minis again! Thanks for sharing.

[Cmaentz]

This has been a very valuable valuable lesson for me. I use a clicker with my dog but never thought of using it for my mini horses. How young can I start cart pulling training? I have a 6 month old and a 14 month (fillys), that I'm working with. Do you use verbal commands also?

[Peggasus09]

I'm soooo glad you're thinking about using the clicker with your minis. I have found it more rewarding than imaginable. I've started weanlings with the clicker, certainly your minis are of a great age to learn, just make the training sessions short (to match their attention span).

Many different opinions on age for pulling a cart, but I like them to be at least 3 before pulling the weight. Still, the training and prep can happen way before that!

best of luck!

[tinkerbell2974]

i dont get it..how com everytime something clicks u give him treat?? wats clicking and where is it??

[Peggasus09]

Good question! The "clicks" happen every time he does something I like. I'm holding a little box that makes the sound. I made the sound louder for the video so you could tell when I'm clicking. The horse has learned that the CLICK means "good job--keep doing that." After I click I give him a bite of food and so he keeps trying to get me to click/treat by doing things I like. Pretty cool way of training.

thanks for your comment

[akualtekefan]

that was really good! I new about clickers for dogs but never thought to use them with horses! When I end up training a horse I'll think about using a clicker.

[Peggasus09]

That's great! You'll be pleased with the results!

[SarWestMay]

What would you reccomend for a horse that can't have treats? Due to being prone to founder..

[Peggasus09]

great question! There are many hay types that come in pelleted form. I use Timothy hay pellets to train because it is a part of their diet and I do NOT feed extra. In other words they are training and being paid with their daily ration of food. You could train with hay itself, but it takes too long for them to chew and so the training goes slower. Still, if it is your only option you can go with that. good luck!

[AnnabellaGally]

How long would it take to get the horse used to the cart, and harnesses etc?

[Peggasus09]

I know this sounds basic, but really and truly it depends on the horse, the trainer and the skill level of both.

[roxyhunterlover]

interesting :)

[29nholdinstrong]

cool wer do you live

[Peggasus09]

California

[lollylovegirl]

Hi Thanks for the video! Why do you prefer a clicker to voice commands? Thanks !!

[Peggasus09]

Thanks for the question. Basically put, the clicker is a sound that MARKS an event in time; it says to the animal REMEMBER what you just did because I'll pay you for that. In the training phase it has been proven that the click is more effective than a word "yes" or "good." After they learn the behavior you can use praise (usually followed by food).

Once they learn a behavior I can ask for it anyway I choose, either a voice command or a physical cue.

[Peggasus09]

LOL...Hey...you can always start using the wheel barrow like I did. Besides, you and your pony will do GREAT; I've seen your videos and you guys are a super team.

[MoNaZandAED]

Thanks for posting this! I've been wanting to train my pony (even though she's not a mini) to drive! We're working on it right now, the only thing missing is the cart, lol!

[thilton24]

Hi could i just ask what it is you use for treats?

[Peggasus09]

It varies with each horse. I always try to find their "favorite" and use it when they really try. I'm also careful with the minis since they are "easy keepers." They also make a low starch pelleted feed for minis and ponies that's good for training.

[clairebear2296]

what do i do about that? i've tried every horse treat on market and the only thing my horse remotely enjoys is some racing mix, that makes him agro... he doesn't like any fruits or vegetables either.. :(

how do i do that?

he doesn't find any real reward in patting, just scratching...

[Peggasus09]

Hey Clairebear...you can train with ANYthing he likes. So let's think...he eats what kind of hay? I might get some hay pellets of whatever kind of hay he eats and train with that. Also, you CAN train using scratching...I've trained a weanling with scratching on the withers. Also, you can train for turnout time. If you're really interesting in using positive there are lots of places to learn more about it. I'm sure you'll do great...keep trying.

[horseluvin11]

I wish all horses were trained in this kind way, some unlucky horses are hit and bullied into doing things, it just shows you dont need bits in their mouths, saddles on their backs and leather gadgets to make a horse do things. Credit to you.

[Dinah1956]

Thank you for posting this video. I train minis to drive and am always looking for new ways to train them. Plan to use the wheelbarrow tomorrow. Do you use a log for them to pull before you hitch them? About how long does it take you to train a mini to pull a cart. It takes me about 7 months but I take alot of time and always want it to be fun. check out my site Dinah 1956.

Thanks again for posting this video!!

[CuteMouse888]

aww he/she is so cute, good job on the trainging 2

[hyxc]

Hi Peggy,

both great jobs: training Mantra and the video! I love all of them.

Katja

[Peggasus09]

Thank you Katja. Your videos and training are very inspiring!

Peggy

[HorseloverDurangoH]

Wow how old id he?I might be getting a mini this Friday Ive been begging my grandma for him for months and finally I get to go see him!

[Peggasus09]

Mantra is 4 this spring. Congrats on the mini; I hope you get him! Just keep in mind that they're really not like big dogs...they really are "horses" all the way. :)

[nexuscenter]

Mantra is completely adorable. Well done!

[Peggasus09]

He's from La Vista Farm here in California. You should see his blue eyes! Thanks for the comment.

[desertduty]

This is the most awsome way to start cart training!! Or any training for that matter.

[Peggasus09]

Thanks so much. Mantra is now easily backing into "tight" spaces and wearing more of the harness. Thanks for watching!

[horselover877]

Hi Great video I have minis too

do you have some early training video?

teach to stand etc. yours are all so well trained I'm just starting babies.

[tinytinytiny]

VERY GOOD VIDEO, and you are so right a horse should enjoy and HAVE FUN with his training and then he will do it willingly for you.

[Peggasus09]

Thank you so much. It's a lot of fun for the trainer too :)

[doggies10]

Nice video. Keep up the good work. He is a really nice pony and very well trained. I like the way you train best - through positive reinforcement!

[pamperedpups]

I am watching and like what you do! What a cutie Mantra is!

[Peggasus09]

Thanks! Mantra is a blue eyed cutie all right. He has responded so well to positive reinforcement; it really makes me smile to watch him try so hard.

[Dempseylover1]

Thanks for the video!!!!